Arrangement of the suction funnel of the lubricating oil pump in the oil sump of an internal combustion engine

ABSTRACT

An arrangement for the suction funnel of the lubricating oil pump within the oil pan of an internal combustion engine, in which the suction funnel is supported at the bottom of the oil pan by means of an elastic hollow spacer element whereby the suction opening of the suction funnel terminates in the interior space of the hollow spacer element while the spacer element is provided at its lower end with one or several level-determining openings for an air-free aspiration of the oil.

United States Patent 1191 Dahm 51 Apr. 17, 1973 1 ARRANGEMENT OF THE SUCTION 2,174,354 9/1939 Shields ..137/590 x FUNNEL OF THE LUBRICATING OIL 5 332 123 :32: S errmann PUMP IN E OIL SUMP OF AN 1,880,857 10/1932 Davis ..-222/3l8 INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE 3,017,898 l/1962 Hobson .....137 590 [75] g Radwangen' FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS urtingen, Germany Assignee: DaimlehBenz Akfiengeseuschah, 581,948 9/1958 ltaly "184/106 suelttgarthunterturhelm' Germany Primary Examiner-Manuel A. Antonakas [22] Filed: May 20, 1971 Attorney-Craig, Antonelli & Hill [21] Appl. No.: 145,439 ABSTRACT An arrangement for the suction funnel of the lubricat- [30] Forelgn Apphcamm Pnonty Dam ing oil pump within the oil panof an internal com- May 21, 1970 Germany ..P 20 24814.0 bustion engine, in which the suction funnel is supported at the bottom of the oil pan by means of an [52] U.S.Cl ....;....184/6.24, 123/196 R, 137/590 elastic hollow spacer element whereby the suction [51] Int. Cl ..F01m 1/12 opening of the suction funnel terminates in the interi- [58] Field oi Search ..222/464, 564, 318, or space of the hollow spacer element while the spacer 222/383; 137/590, 582; 184/36, 6.5,6.2, element is provided at its lower end with one or 6.24; 123/196 R several level-determining 'openings for an air-free aspiration of the oil. [56] References Cited v 15 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,509,861 5/1970 Deutschmann et a1. 123/196 R I5 I} H I? 25 14 11 l I i PATENTEUAPR 1 11M 3'. 727. 725

INVENTOR WOLFRAM DAHM (16 magma; .y 14193;;

ATTORNEYS ARRANGEMENT OF THE SUCTION FUNNEL OF THE LUBRICATING OIL PUMP IN THE OIL SUMP OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE The present invention relates to'an arrangement of the suction funnel of a lubricating oil pump in the oil pan or oil sump of an internal combustion engine.

A certain minimum distance must exist between the suction funnel and the bottom of the oil sump so that a sufficient cross section is present in order to keep small the suction resistance during the aspiration of the lubricating oil, especially with a cool oil. However, a tolerance has to be allocated for manufacturing reasons so that the distance may become twice as large as the minimum distance. However, this entails the disadvantage that with a decreasing oil level, especially when driving through a curve or when driving over inclines and descents in mountainous terrain, or also during the braking and sharp accelerations, the suction funnel projects out of the oil level. In that case air is sucked in and an endangering of the bearing occurs.

The present invention is concerned with the task to prevent the aspiration of air under the described conditions.

The underlying problems are solved according to the present invention in that the suction funnel is supported at the bottom of the oil sump by means of an elastic spacer element and the suction opening of the suction funnel terminates in the interior space of the hollow spacer element, and in that the spacer element is provided at its lower end with one or several leveldetermining apertures for an air-free aspiration.

The openings at the lower end of the spacer element form accurately definable cross sections for the aspiration of the lubricating oil. Height differences, conditioned by tolerances, are compensated for by the elasticity of the spacer element. It is achieved thereby that in every engine, always the same minimal necessary cross section for the lubricating oil aspiration is available and additionally theoil level can be decreased in the limit case to a minimum value without endangering the engine.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement of the suction funnel of the lubricating oil pump in the oil sump of an internal combustion engine which avoids by simple means the aforementioned shortcomings and drawbacks encountered in the prior art.

Another object of the present invention resides in an arrangement of the suction-funnel of the lubricating oil pump in the oil pan of an internal combustion engine which permits a compensation of manufacturing tolerances, yet assures a substantially air-free aspiration of the lubricating oil from the oil sump.

A further object of the present invention resides in an arrangement of the suction funnel of the lubricating oil pump in the oil sump of an internal combustion engine which eliminates any danger to the bearings due to an inadequate supply of lubricating oil from the lubricating oil pump while at the same time permitting maximum use of the oil within the oil pump.

These and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, for purposes of illustration only, one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the arrangement of the suction funnel-oil sump in accordance with the present invention whereby only onehalf of the suction funnel and of the spacer member is illustrated, the other half being symmetrical with respect thereto; and

FIG. 2 is a vertical axial cross-sectional view through the spacer element in accordance with the present invention as individual part of the arrangement in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the two views to designate like parts, the suction funnel 10 is retained substantially fixedly in the oil pan or oil sump in any conventional manner (not shown) and is supported at the bottom 12 of the oil sump by means of an elastic sleeve-shaped spacer element generally designated by reference numeral 11. An annular sheet metal disk 15 together with a sieve filter 16 is secured in a liquid-tight manner at the lower edge 13 of the suction funnel 10 in an internal groove 14 thereof. The inner edge 17 of the sheet metal disk 15 engages sealingly in a circumferential groove 18 (FIG. 2) provided at the upper bead-like annular rim 19 of the spacer element 11. The lower end generally designated by reference numeral 20 of the spacer element 11 is formed by a relatively inelastic beaded edge 21 whose end face 22 rests on the bottom 12. The beaded edge 21 is provided with notches or recesses 23 that form the apertures 24 for the passage of the lubricant. A conically shaped, relatively easily elastically deformable intermediate section 25 is provided between the upper edge 19 and the lower beaded edge 21 in order to compensate for installation tolerances between the lower edge 13 of the suction funnel 10 and the bottom 12 of the oil sump. The height 26 (FIG. 1) of the recesses 23 determines able to aspirate in an air-free manner.

The suction line of the lubricating oil pumpter minates in the interior space 27.between the parts 10 and 16 in a manner not illustrated in the drawing. As can be readily seen from FIG. 1, the distance 28 of the suction funnel 10 from the bottom 12 may vary within certain limits determined essentially by the longitudinal deformability of the intermediate section 25 without influencing thereby the level determining height 26 determinative for an air-free aspiration.

While I have shown and described only one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An arrangement of a suction funnel of a lubricating oil pump in an oil sump of an internal combustion engine, characterized in that the suction funnel is supported at the bottom of the oil sump by an elastic hollow spacer means and in that the suction opening of the suction funnel terminates in the interior space of the hollow spacer means, said spacer means being provided near its lower end with at least one level-determining aperture means for an air-free aspiration.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that several aperture means are provided at the lower end of the spacer means.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer means is provided at the upper edge thereof with an annular groove into which an annular disk of the suction funnel engages in a sealing manner.

4. An arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the spacer means at its lower end rests on the bottom of the oil sump by means of a bead-like, relatively inelastic support edge and in that between the support edge and the upper end of the spacer means a relatively readily deformable intermediate section is provided.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that said intermediate section is of substantially conical shape.

6. An arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one indentation is provided in the support edge forming said aperture means for the passage of the lubricating oil.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that several aperture means are provided at the lower end of the spacer means.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that several indentations form said several aperture means.

9. An arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that said intermediate section is of substantially conical shape.

10. An arrangement according to claim 1, charac- 11. An arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that said intermediate section is of substantially conical shape.

12. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one indentation is provided in the support edge forming said aperture means for the passage of the lubricating oil.

13. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic hollow spacer means has a longitudinally extending axis and is deformable in the axial direction.

14. An arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that the elastic hollow spacer means is rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis and is provided at an upper outer edge thereof with an annular groove into which an annular diskof the suction funnel engages in a sealing manner.

15. An arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the spacer means at its lower end rests on the bottom of the oil sump by means of a bead-like, relatively inelastic support edge and in that between the support edge and the upper end of the spacer means a relatively axially deformable intermediate section is provided. 

1. An arrangement of a suction funnel of a lubricating oil pump in an oil sump of an internal combustion engine, characterized in that the suction funnel is supported at the bottom of the oil sump by an elastic hollow spacer means and in that the suction opening of the suction funnel terminates in the interior space of the hollow spacer means, said spacer means being provided near its lower end with at least one level-determining aperture means for an air-free aspiration.
 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that several aperture means are provided at the lower end of the spacer means.
 3. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer means is provided at the upper edge thereof with an annular groove into which an annular disk of the suction funnel engages in a sealing manner.
 4. An arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the spacer means at its lower end rests on the bottom of the oil sump by means of a bead-like, relatively inelastic support edge and in that between the support edge and the upper end of the spacer means a relatively readily deformable intermediate section is provided.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that said intermediate section is of substantially conical shape.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one indentation is provided in the support edge forming said aperture means for the passage of the lubricating oil.
 7. An arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that several aperture means are provided at the lower end of the spacer means.
 8. An arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that several indentations form said several aperture means.
 9. An arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that said intermediate section is of substantially conical shape.
 10. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer means at its lower end rests on the bottom of the oil sump by means of a bead-like, relatively inelastic support edge and in that between the support edge and the upper end of the spacer means a relatively readily deformable intermediate section is provided.
 11. An arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that said intermediate section is of substantially conical shape.
 12. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one indentation is provided in the support edge forming said aperture means for the passage of the lubricating oil.
 13. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic hollow spacer means has a longitudinally extending axis and is deformable in the axial direction.
 14. An arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that the elastic hollow spacer means is rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis and is provided at an upper outer edge thereof with an annular groove into which an annular disk of the suction funnel engages in a sealing manner.
 15. An arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the spacer means at its lower end rests on the bottom of the oil sump by means of a bead-like, relatively inelastic support edge and in that between the support edge and the upper end of the spacer means a relatively axially deformable intermediate section is provided. 